RECYCLED MATERIALS GET ARTISTIC TOUCH
AT 4TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL RUNWAY FASHION SHOW
(left to right) Lisa M. Berman, Erika Meyers, Annette Wimmer, Elizabeth McGhee, Sheri Holley, Alicia Chavex, Kaye Spilker, W. Bradley Elsberry, Brittany Ryan, Adam Neeley, Jeannie Mai (Photo by Patrick Rogers)
RECYCLED MATERIALS GET ARTISTIC TOUCH
AT 4TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL RUNWAY FASHION SHOW
Laguna Beach, CA — Artists made the runway their canvas at the Festival of Arts this Saturday, August 18, competing to create the most imaginative and unique designs using reclaimed, reused or recycled materials. A three-panel judge chose the top looks in four categories and over 1,500 Festival visitors cast their votes for “People’s Choice Award.”
- Stunning entries from artists Luciano Bortone, Dagmar Chaplin, Michelle Lance, Rick Graves, Bruce Burr, Jon Seeman, John Tolle wowed the judges and crowd alike with their unique styling and creative use of materials.
The judges this year hail from sophisticated textile and artistic fashion backgrounds, including Jeannie Mai, the host of the Style Channel’s popular fashion makeover show “How Do I Look?,” LACMA Curator of Costumes and Textiles, Kaye Spilker, and Sheri Holley from Macy’s South Coast Plaza. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jerry Penacoli was unable to attend and Lisa M. Berman, The “Go To” Style Diva and Proprietor of Sculpture to Wear Gallery, stepped in to host the event.
Elizabeth McGhee & Brittany Ryan “Most Exciting Ensemble” made of newspaper, telephone, wire, cassette tape, music record (Photo by Cliff Wassmann)
“Most Exciting Ensemble” was awarded to artists Brittany Ryan and Elizabeth McGhee for their Victorian ensemble made primarily of communication media (newspapers, telephone pieces, cassette tape) and titled “Miss Communication.”
- Annette Wimmer “Most Wearable to Next Year’s Festival of Arts Opening Night Party” made of newspaper, foil, packaging material, shopping bags, pull tabs (Photo by Cliff Wassmann)
Annette Wimmer created and modeled her own look, a tailored two piece suit of packaging supplies and aluminum foil, which received the award “Most Wearable to Next Year’s FOA Exhibit Opening Night Party.”
- W. Bradley Elsberry “Most Creative Concept” & “People’s Choice Award” made of cardboard, plastic, packaging material, paper, tape (Photo by Cliff Wassmann)
- Painter W. Bradley Elsberry won “Most Creative Concept” with the show’s closing look entitled “Wrapping it Up”utilizing packaging and wrapping material.
- Initially hidden inside a war-themed exterior, in a dramatic reveal model Erika Baldwin emerged from the costume in a white dress made almost exclusively from paper. Elsberry’s runway also impressed the crowd and took home the highly coveted “People’s Choice Award.”
W. Bradley Elsberry “Most Creative Concept” & “People’s Choice Award” made of cardboard, plastic, packaging material, paper, tape (Photo by Rob Gage)
Adam Neeley “Most Innovative Use of Materials” made of corn husks, plastic shopping bags, cardboard, packing material (Photo by Rob Gage)
- Jeweler Adam Neeley won “Most Innovative Use of Materials” for his use of over 1,000 corn husks in his Frida Kahlo inspired dress.
“Farewell” designed by Photographer Rick Graves and Painter Bruce Burr. Made of recycled wood, door skin, window screen, a lazy susan, strobe light reflector, film, and video tape. Model: Camryn Graves. (Photo by Cliff Wassmann)
- DATES AND ADMISSION
The Festival of Arts is open daily from July 1 – August 31, 2012, from 10am to 11:30pm (August 25, 10am to 3:30pm). General Admission: Weekdays $7, Weekends $10; Students & Seniors: Weekdays $4, Weekends $6; Free Admission for Children 12 and under, Military, and Laguna Beach Residents.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL OF ARTS
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters are sponsored in part by Acura, Cox Communications, Fidelity Investments, KOST Radio 103.5, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, and The Orange County Register. The Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization that produces The Festival of Arts – California’s Premier Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters. For general information, call (949) 494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.
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Meghan Perez
- Media contact: Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Festival of Arts • 650 Laguna Canyon Road • Laguna Beach, CA 92651
